Driving means for heddle frames in weaving looms



June 15, 1954 J -P1CANQL 2,681,078

DRIVING MEANS FOR HEDDLE FRAMES IN WEAVING LOOMS Filed Sept. 27, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jena/a Piganol .4 T 7' OR/VEKS J. PICANOL June 15, 1954 DRIVING MEANS FOR HEDDLE FRAMES IN WEAVING 'LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1951 J. PICANOL June 15, 1954 DRIVING MEANS FOR HEDDLE FRAMES IN WEAVING LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 27, 1951 m 111mm n I J. PICANOL June 15, 1954 DRIVING MEANS FOR HEDDLE FRAMES IN WEAVING LOOMS Filed Sept. 27, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. PICANOL June 15, 1954 DRIVING MEANS FOR HEDDLE FRAMES IN WEAVING LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 27, 1951 Fig. 14

nvvslvrok I Jaime P/CANOL BY M ATTO/P/VEXS Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATEfi PATENT OFFICE DRIVING MEANS FOR HEDDLE FRAMES EN WEAVING LDOMS Jaime Picanol, Zandberg, Zillebeke-lez-Ypres,

The invention relates to a driving means for heddle frames in weaving looms and, essentially, to such weaving looms in which the amplitude regulation of the frames displacement must be had between certain predetermined limits.

In the devices generally used presently, the heddle frames are positively driven in one direction and brought back to their initial position by means of an elastic return element. The positive drive is obtained by at least one reciproeating lever connected at one end to the heddle frame by a traction member and, at its other end, actuated by a mechanism adapted to impart thereto a reciprocating motion. This mechanism generally includes a cam, the profile of which is determined according to the motion to be imparted to said reciprocating lever. Said lever may turn around a fixed axis, or around a displaceable shaft. This displacement allows for the adjustment of the amplitude of the beddle frames alternative movements. For rendering this displacement variable and adjustable, it has been previously suggested to move the supporting members of said axis, or to combine said axis with a sector gear meshing with a rack mounted on the reciprocating lever, or to engage the ends of said reciprocating axis in the sides of an elongated slot formed in the reciprocating lever. The various means above do permit varying the amplitude of the alternative motion 7.

The device according to the invention is characterized by being relatively very simple, permitting progressive regulation of the amplitude of the heddle frames motion, even during the running of the loom. Furthermore, the mechanical combination contemplated is such that the longitudinal thrust of the cams, against the oscillating levers, is systematically absorbed without influence on the smooth running of the mechanism.

The device object of the invention is mainly characterized by having, for each of the heddle frames, an oscillating lever having one end bearing on the driving member of the heddle frame and its other end formed with a smoothly curved surface resting on an angularly displaceable support. Said support is also adjustable around a shaft mounted perpendicular to the plane in which moves the oscillating lever; each of said oscillating levers hangs at the end of a connecting rod journalled on a fixed shaft. Finally,

each oscillating lever has a roller contacting suitably profiled cam which is continuously rotated.

The angularly adjustable support is, prefer ably, integral with the curved surface on which all the levers of a same mechanism are resting. common support being combined with a mecha nism adapted to displace the support angularly in a convenient direction, even during the operation of the loom, and to arrest said support in the desired position.

This angularly adjustable support is designed to vary, for each reciprocating lever, the distance between the reciprocating axis and the application point of the cam thrust, that is: to vary the raising and lowering amplitude of the heddle frames. The mounting of the oscillating levers at the end of a connecting rod, upwardly journalled on a fixed shaft, enables absorbing the longitudinal thrusts on the oscillating lever by the cam.

The mechanism of the invention is also characterised by the compact disposition of its elements and the many constructional features to appear in the more detailed description hereafter, reference being had to the accompanying I drawings wherein:

The Figures 1 to 4 represent very schematically and in four characteristic positions the driving mechanism of the invention,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the oscillating lever;

Figures 6 and 7 are sections of said lever taken, respectively along the lines VI-VI and VII-VII of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lever with cut-away portion showing in relative position the essential elements of the driving mechanism.

Figure 9 is a plan View of a complete mechanism, with the driving mechanism of the invention,

Figure 10 is a section taken on line X-X of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a section taken on line XI-XI of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a section taken on line XIIXII of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a section taken on line XIII-XIXI of Figure 10; and

Figure 14 is a partial perspective view showing the mechanism for adjusting the support of the oscillating levers.

The driving mechanism of the heddle frames, according to the invention, comprises for each frame an oscillating lever l at the end I of which a groove 8 is formed for booking said lever A to the traction element 9 secured to the heddle frame H3. The lever I is provided at the other end II with a curved surface I2 resting on a support I4, which support can be rotatably displaced angularly around a shaft 53 in such manner as to modify the theoretical line of corn tact between said curved surface 12 said support I4. For that purpose, the shaft I3 is provided with an helicoidal gear 55 meshing with a worm I6, said worm being secured on a shaft I7 having an operating handwheel I8. These adjusting means for the support Id are a cation of the adjusting means shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11.

Each oscillating lever I comprises between its curved surface I2 and its grooved end I, a pin 2 which serves as a bearing for the lever on the head 3 of a connecting rod 4, said rod being journalled at 5 on a fixed shaft 6.

Each lever I is further provided with a roller i9 directly acted upon by a cam 28 mounted on a driving shaft 2I, said shaft rotating continuously in the direction of the arrow 1.

If there is now considered a given position of the angularly movable support IQ, for instance the position represented in Figures 1, 2, 3 by the angle +a, it will be noted that the maximum oscillation of the lever I is represented by the angle ,8, which maximum determines also the maximum amplitude of the up and down movement of the corresponding frame It. However, it must be possible to vary and eventually to adjust this amplitude. Thus, it will be sufiicient to displace the support M a suitable distance in a given direction. Consequently, if another position of said support I4 is considered, for instance the one shown schematically in Figure 4 by the angle oc, it will be found that the maximum oscillation of the lever is represented by the angle fl' l3.

In the schematic showing noted above, the oscillation amplitude of the levers I and, consequently, of the frames, can be closely adjusted between the limits determined by the angles ,8 and 13. It is only necessary to turn the support M in the convenient direction and to block it in a position which corresponds to the desired amplitude.

The device of the invention is further con- I structed to be remarkably free from longitudinal or tangential thrusts of the oscillating levers. For instance, in an intermediate position of the cam 28, as shown in Figure 3, the roller I9 is being urged obliquely, that is to say: the thrust F is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lever I. The result is a tangential component F" and a normal component F'. The tangential component F" exerts a traction on the pin 2 which is transferred to the fixed shaft t through the intermediary of the connecting rod 3; the normal component F determines the couple which will cause the lever I to oscillate.

The tangential strains or thrusts F are systematically absorbed without prejudice to the efficient operation of the device.

lhe invention relates also to particular designs introduced in the construction of the essential elements forming the present mechanism, as well as in the combination of said elements, with the object in view of forming a unit which would be compact, sturdy and almost trouble-free.

As shown to advantage in Figures 5, 6 and '7, the levers I assume a very special appearance; they are composed of a solid section 22 extended by a hollow section, in the shape of a trough oppositely incurvated and with its bottom medially removed. This hollow section is formed of two lateral flanges 23-24 and of said interrupted bottom 25. On the outside, said flanges are each provided with two guiding surfaces, namely surfaces 26-21 and 2829, respectively. The levers are disposed side by side and their guiding surfaces 26, 21, 28 and 29 remain at least partially in contact with the opposite guiding surfaces of the adjacent levers irrespective of the angular position of each lever at any given moment. Thus said surfaces guide the pivotal movement of said levers.

The rear part of the interrupted bottom is in the form of an externally curved surface I2, generally concave.

The flanges 23-24 are milled to provide notches til-4| for receiving the stub shaft of a roller as and, furthermore, apertured at 32 for receiving the pin 2 passed through the head 3 of connecting rod 4.

The lever thus formed is adapted to provide an extremely compact device, taking up a minimum amount of space and of a systematic operation.

The device is shown in Figures 9 to 13.

As depicted in said figures, the levers I are touching, or only slightly separated from, each other and bear, by means of their curved surface 92, on a common support which is angularly adjustable. This support is formed as a crankshaft constituted of two crankpins 323=%, each secured to crank cheeks 35-35 connected to gether by a cylindrical or partly cylindrical body 31.

Each lever has a roller 59 and each roller i9 is in contact with a cam 25. Each cam has hub bosses 3339 for keeping the cams equidistant in correct position, all the cams being mounted on a common shaft 2! (Figure 12).

aid cams are driven by a gear it secured to the common shaft and meshing with a pinion GI the shaft 42 of which has a gear d3 suitably driven by any appropriated means such as a pinion mounted on the main shaft of the loom (not shown).

The angularly adjustable support, common to all the oscillating levers, can he adjustably displaced angularly by a very simple mechanism. Said mechanism comprises a nut it from which projects laterally at both sides a pin 45 engaged in an extension d6 of the crank check 36, and a pin d? engaged in an arcuate opening 48 formed in a stationary part of the device; the nut 56 is threaded on the threaded end of an operating rod ES. The said rod, at its other end, passes through a support 50 and its free en is provided with an operating knob 5|.

This support has an entrance bore 52, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the operating rod 49, while the part of the sup-port adjacent the entrance bore forms a cradle 86 the bottom 53 of which is slightly flared or inclined.

On the rod 49 is secured a stop 5 which is firmly held by a screw 55. This stop is adapted to contact the front part of the support 5%, whereby to permit displacing angularly the crankshaft 3'i which is the common support for all levers by a simple rotation of the rod $9. The special support allows for a slight inclination of the rod as it is revolved.

Thus, by turning the rod in one direction or the other, a linear displacement of the nut 46 along the threaded part of said rod $9 is caused, simultaneously with the rotation of said nut with respect to the extension 1 8. Consequently, the crankshaft will be displaced angularly as it supports permanently all the oscillating levers. The position of the theoretical contact line between said crankshaft and said levers is thus rendered adjustable.

The entire mechanism is supported by a frame, formed of two flanges or lateral. standards 55-51, the lower part of which is extended rearwardly by main beams, 5359. At the four corners the frame is provided with oblong holes 50-6|6253 through which it is secured to the main frame t l of the weaving loom by means of bolts and nuts going through th channels 55, 66 forming cross-bars, said cross-bars being part of the lower members of said main frame $4. On said standards 5651 are supported the pins 3334 of the adjustable support M; the shaft 6 common to all the connecting rods l; the shaft 2| common to all the earns 29 and shaft d2 on which are mounted the pinion ll and the gear 43. Also, on each of the two sideframes 565l is secured a lateral stop 6l-58 through the intermediary of pairs of screws 69'Hi and ll-l2, extending through the said frames 5t5l and threaded into said stops. Th stops are disposed opposite the guiding surfaces 26-28 of the levers, in such a manner that said levers be always positively guided by the adjacent levers, and the extreme levers by a neighbouring lever and one of the stops 61' or 6B.

The two standards 55-41 are also reinforced by the cross bars 'i3-14-'l5 tightly secured by nuts or any other equivalent means. The whole constitutes a complete apparatus easy to set up and only taking up a minimum amount of space. It can be operated while the loom is running, that is to say: the amplitude of the alternative displacement of the frames can be modified while they are in motion, by the simple expedient of turning the knob 51 in the proper direction and an amount corresponding to the adjustment required.

The different elements which have been described may of course be replaced by equivalent elements, or elements of equivalent function and it remains possible to modify the relative position of the different elements within the spirit of the invention and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and claimed in the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. Driving means for the heddle frames of H weaving looms, comprising a fixed shaft, a con necting rod journalled around said shaft at one end, an oscillating lever pivoted to the other end of said connecting rod, one end of the lever connected to a heddle frame, a curved surfac terminating the other end of the lever, a rotatable pivoted support upon which rests the curved surface, means for angularly adjusting the support, a roller mounted on said lever, a cam in contact with said roller, and means for continuously rotating said cam.

2. Driving means as claimed in claim 1, the

fixed shaft around which the connecting rod is journalled being situated beyond the end of the curved surfac of the oscillating lever.

3. Driving means as claimed in claim 2, the roller being mounted on the oscillating lever between the end of said lever connected to said heddle frame and the pivotal connection of said connecting rod to said lever.

4. Driving means as claimed in claim 2, where in the longitudinal axis of the curved surface and the rotational axis of the support are substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the oscillating lever is displaceable.

5. Driving means as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support is so positioned, with respect to the curved surface, that the distance between the rotational axis of said support and the curved surface is equal to the curve radius of said surface.

6. Driving means as claimed in claim 5, in which th oscillating lever comprises a solid section having an end hook for engagement with the heddle frame traction element, a second approximately S-shaped section U-channelled towards the ends thereof, and at least one guiding raised surface on the outside faces of the chan nelled section.

7. In driving means as claimed in claim 5, the curved surface of the oscillating lever being a cylindrical surface.

8. In driving means as claimed in claim 6, the angularly variable support consisting in a crankshaft formed of a cylindrical body over which the curved surface of all oscillating levers are adapted to rest, crank cheeks at the ends of said body and crank pins on the cheeks for journalling the entire support.

9. Driving means as claimed in claim 7, one of the cylindrical body crank cheeks being extended beyond the said body and formed with an aperture, a threaded nut having projecting side pins, one of said pins being engaged in the cheek aperture and the other pin disposed in an arcuate opening milled in a fixed member of the adjacent frame, a rod having a threaded end screwed into the nut, the other end of the rod mounted in a stationary support, and an operating knob at the free end of the rod.

10. Driving means as claimed in claim 8, the stationary threaded rod support having an entrance bore for the rod slightly larger than the diameter of said rod, a cradle extended axially beyond the bore and having a bottom surface slightly inclined.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,312,751 Rhoades Aug. 12, 1919 1,819,543 Davis Aug. 18, 1931 2,042,422 Brown May 26, 1936 2,187,814 Brown Jan. 23, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 674,574 Germany Apr. 17, 1939 

